Deepika Rajan is a versatile Finance Professional with a deep passion for taxation and hospitality. As a mature and experienced ACCA practitioner, Deepika has deep-rooted knowledge of intricate financial skylines based on her vast experience in auditing, taxation, and financial advisory. With a spirit to innovate and a taste for culinary cuisines, Deepika founded The Smokey Blues “Grill & Chill”, a popular restaurant in the heart of The Sultanate of Oman. Currently, Deepika Rajan contributes her financial expertise as the Tax Partner at Leaderly.
Early Life and Education
Deepika Rajan began her financial career having accredited with the ACCA qualification in 2007 and later to become a fellow FCCA. Deepika enjoyed working with large UAE & Oman-based organizations such as Morison & Menon – UAE, Schlumberger – UAE, Kodak – UAE, Super Max – UAE, Shell – Oman, and Abu Timam Grant Thornton – Oman. Deepika comes with a background in accounting, financial analysis, and auditing and has transitioned herself into the taxation field, where she was holding a position of “Tax Director” at Abu Timam Grant Thornton Oman. Broadly experienced and holding leadership roles, she stands as a respected finance professional and a tax expert in The Sultanate of Oman.
Deepika Rajan adds, “Driven by my passion for taxation and the desire to reach a broader clientele, I launched a new chapter in my career as a Tax Partner at Al Aqeel Al Mutamyezha SPC (formerly known as “Leaderly”) with Mr. Ali Al Lawati. This venture allowed me to manage my tax portfolio across various sectors, achieving a phenomenal revenue growth during the first year with Leaderly. This success was a result of a proactive approach, client-focused solutions, and a dedicated team.”
Apart from taxation, Deepika Rajan pursued hospitality with Smokey Blues Grill & Chill at Radisson Blu, Al Khuwair, under her belt. The restaurant presents unique challenges in trying to find a perfect balance of customer satisfaction versus social media engagement. She further adds to her personal accolades: “Outside work, I’m a certified PADI Adventure Scuba Diver and A Spartan Athlete, where adrenalin-fueled adventure and physical endurance gives its vibrant touch to every part of the human body. During my leisure time, I also enjoy hiking, nature watching which is purely inspired by the natural beauty of what The Sultanate of Oman provides. With a zeal to pursue and be upto date in my academics to support the taxation field, I successfully passed & received Diploma in Transfer Pricing and VAT with distinction and am currently pursuing ATT qualification, wherein I have only one paper to go to get the ATT accreditation as well.
Presence Of Leaderly
Al Aqeel Al Mutamyezha SPC, formerly known as “Leaderly,” is a firm established in September 2023 in the Sultanate of Oman. As an SME, Leaderly provides accounting, auditing, and tax consultancy services to clients in Oman and beyond. It is with great pride that we share that during the first year of “Leaderly”, we were able to receive a considerable customer base, with happy & loyal clientele in the Sultanate as well and in the region. This was purely made possible by a team of dedicated professionals, who were initially 3 and has now grown to a team of 6 hard working & dedicated members in a span of less than 12 months.
Deepika Rajan mentions, “Leaderly is a financial and advisory consulting firm in Oman, offering “A One Stop Shop Solution” for all your financial needs, which range from auditing, taxation to financial advisory, valuations, ICV initiatives, and ESG consulting. Its strategic partnerships with M/s Habibullah & Co. in India, having 11 branches and holding global affiliations, allows Leaderly to extend its expertise to its clients across the Middle East, Asia, the USA, and Europe.”
Traits Of Successful Leaders
Deepika Rajan shares that she follows the 3 C’s approach: Competence, Confidence, and Consistency.
“We believe it’s crucial to have a deep understanding of what challenges the industry faces, and the technical skills to overcome them professionally, hence reflecting on the competency level of the organization. Building an inner-confidence within the team and with clients is also essential to establish a reputation for delivering the best results as per industry standards. Finally to achieve and sustain, consistency is the key to achieving one’s goals while upholding the highest level of ethical standards that govern the industry, this instills and ensures reliability and trust in everything we do to our client and our fellow co-workers.
Additionally, being proactive and taking responsibility for tasks ensures that projects are completed thoroughly, successfully, and on time. This combination fosters a positive work environment and drives organizational success, which is then reflected in the industry.” Deepika shares.
Embracing Digital Transformation
Despite being a relatively young company, Leaderly has actively embraced digitalization. The company has adopted tools like Canva and Mailchimp to streamline marketing and communication, enhancing their client engagement strategy, alongside implementing electronic invoicing, as mandated by Oman’s Tax Authority.
Deepika Rajan shares, “Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TripAdvisor, and Google Reviews are utilized in the hospitality sector to increase customer engagement and enhance brand visibility. By staying up-to-date with digital trends, we ensure that our services remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing environment, helping us serve clients better and support the industry’s digital transformation.”
Words Of Wisdom For Beginners
Addressing the aspiring professionals of Deepika’s industry, she shares, “My first piece of advice to aspiring professionals is to be client-centric. Understand your client’s needs, adapt to their requirements, and provide results that best suit them while staying within the legal framework. Consistency is key – never give up in the face of setbacks. These setbacks are to be transformed into challenges, opportunities and should be taken as a tool to learn and improve. Always embrace a proactive mindset – always think ahead and work towards your goals. The road to success is paved with passion for your work that you carve, so stay focused and stay committed, and don’t let obstacles discourage you.”
Follow Deepika Rajan on LinkedIn.
Find Leaderly on LinkedIn and visit their website http://leaderly.om
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